Big Sean gets inspirational on his new song, “One Man Can Change the World,” a stark piano ballad featuring Kanye West and John Legend that will appear on the rapper’s upcoming LP, Dark Sky Paradise, out February 24th. Over a simple rolling piano beat, Sean reminisces about his rough upbringing, touching on everything from his… Source: RollingStone Link: Hear […]
Swedish singer-songwriter José González’s new album — which is just the third LP from the 36-year-old artist, in a 12-year solo career — sticks to the formula that has served him well in the past. Intricate fingerpicking backs up his soft vocals; melodies flow without urgency; vague but evocative lyrics drift to… Source: RollingStone Link: Vestiges & […]
For his 16th album, country renegade Steve Earle gets in touch with the hardboiled blues of his native Texas — not the sad-slurring, throw-yourself-in-the-bayou blues, but the bar-stomping variety. Songs like the scorching “Go Go Boots Are Back” are stacked with the tight musicianship of his longtime band the Dukes, including-… Source: RollingStone Link: Terraplane
Once a pioneer of San Francisco psychedelia, Jorma Kaukonen is a bona fide graybeard folk swami at age 74. His latest LP is all austere, unplugged displays of the Piedmont finger style that’s been his signature since his 1966 Jefferson Airplane showpiece “Embryonic Journey.” There are covers and originals: “The… Source: RollingStone Link: Ain't in […]
Kate Pierson has defined the eccentric soul of the B-52s for more than three decades. Now the feisty Jersey girl has a private Idaho of her own. Executive-produced by Sia, Pierson’s solo debut is a collection of brassy manifestoes about independence and, naturally, outer space. One of the best intergalactic… Source: RollingStone Link: Guitars and […]
In 2008 — the same year another one-name British soul-pop singer called Adele arrived — Estelle made her own splash with “American Boy.” Although her fourth LP lacks a killer Kanye collaboration like that one, she doesn’t need it. Tracing the stages of a relationship, the album is split into themes including… Source: RollingStone Link: True Romance
Let’s give Imagine Dragons credit where it’s due. On their multiplatinum 2012 debut, Night Visions, the Las Vegas act found a way to reheat old-fashioned arena-rock catharsis for the segmented pop world of the 2010s — fusing Coldplay’s heart-hugging balladry, Arcade Fire’s darkly heroic surge, neon Killers synths and elements of… Source: RollingStone Link: Smoke + […]
Entertainment law developments, including an appeal concerning Ray Charles’ songs and a guilty plea from a Megaupload computer programmer. Source: Yahoo Music Link: Hollywood Docket: Pre-1972 Music; 'Barely Lethal' Lawsuit; Aimee Mann Settlement
Martin is the agency’s executive vice president of worldwide music Source: Yahoo Music Link: APA Promotes Music Agent Steve Martin to Partner
Nearly lost in Kanye West’s claustrophobic SNL 40 performance, his surprise appearance alongside Drake and the debut of his new song “Wolves” is the main reason why the rapper was in Manhattan in the first place: The debut of his Adidas Originals collection. After his line finished on the New York Fashion Week runway,… Source: RollingStone Link: Kanye West: […]